Facebook's Revenue Numbers Just Leaked, And The Numbers Look Underwhelming

AP
Gawker's Ryan Tate just published what he says "a source with knowledge of Facebook's finances" tell him are…Facebook's finances.

The numbers look a little light.

Facebook was supposed to generate about $4 billion in revenue this year and make $2 billion in EBITDA.

Through three quarters, Facebook's revenues - according to this source - only came in at $2.5 billion.

That means unless Facebook has a very big, $1.5 billion fourth quarter it will miss expectations. Facebook is growing very fast and $1.5 billion is definitely a possibility, but it isn't a lock: $1.5 billion is about 80% higher than the $830 million Facebook generated on average over the year's first three quarters.

Again, it will take a big fourth quarter - $1 billion in profits! - for Facebook to meet expectations sources set earlier this year.

HERE IS WHAT IS CLEAR: Facebook is not blowing away the numbers that leaked at the beginning of 2011. That in itself feels like a disappointment. The company is NOT going through a surprising run of growth. It's also worth pointing out that Facebook still continues to trail the pace set by Google during its first seven years as a company.